MAD MAX In Trouble Yet Again?

Does anyone remember a time when MAD MAX: FURY ROAD wasn’t in development?

George Miller has been working on this, the fourth installment in his epic saga for years now. The film is finally shooting in Namibia with the uber-talented Tom Hardy as iconic hero Max Rockatansky. However, the film did have its filming delayed for a while and now that it’s actually in production, it’s running behind schedule.

As a result, the suits are getting involved. Oh, goody.

The Hollywood Reporter, er, reports that Denise Di Novi has been dispatched to see what’s going on. Di Novi is the producer of such high-profile projects as CRAZY STUPID LOVE, THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS and many, many Tim Burton productions. The article states, “Warner Bros., in confirming Di Novi’s involvement to The Hollywood Reporter, is calling her a ‘studio representative’ who will serve as the eyes and ears of Warners as production continues.

This comes after studio head Jeff Robinov flew to Namibia a few weeks ago once the production had fallen five days behind schedule. Several executives began flying back and forth in the weeks that followed. Having Di Novi stay on set is a means to keep executives from having to continue the lengthy commute. “It’s easier having someone there who has experience and who can keep us posted on the day’s events,” Robinov said.

True, but not every production requires babysitting by studio reps.

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD would mark a return to the post-apocalyptic franchise that began with MAD MAX and continued with THE ROAD WARRIOR (MAD MAX 2 outside the U.S.) and MAX MAD: BEYOND THUNDERDOME. Of course, Mel Gibson embodied the character in those films. This will also mark Miller’s first live-action film since BABE: PIG IN THE CITY, as he has only directed the two HAPPY FEET films since then.

This is no small production either, which is probably the cause of increased studio scrutiny. In addition to Hardy, the film stars Charlize Theron as the awesomely-named Imperator Furiosa.

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD is currently aiming for a 2013 release and I sincerely hope they make it, without much studio interference. As a big fan of the original trilogy, I would love to see Max spread his madness once again.